Sweden national team ensure tickets to the last eight of the 2018 World Cup after beating the Swiss national team 1-0 in the final eight matches at Saint-Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday (3/7/2018) night local time.
The game went tough and tended to be boring, but the single goal of Emil Forsberg on 66 minutes ensured Sweden's breakthrough into the quarter-finals.
This goal itself actually smelled of luck. Yes, kicking Forsberg utilize feedback from Ola Toivonen is not really too swift toward Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer goalkeeper. However, the Swiss goal finally collapsed after the ball had deflected about the leg of defender Manuel Akanji that made Sommer dead step.
The game
First round
The game runs with a slow tempo tends to be boring in the early minutes. Both teams seemed to play cautiously. As a result, not many opportunities are created.
Sweden got the first chance in the ninth minute, after Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer blundered as he kicked the ball. However, Albin Ekdal kicks still soar from the Swiss goal.
In minute 25, turn to threaten the Swiss through attacking midfielder Steven Zuber. Unfortunately, Zuber not good in finishing when welcoming crossing Xherdan Shaqiri. Zuber's header still bounced.
Sweden got their best chance in the 28th minute through the action of Marcus Berg. However, the striker's left-footed volley that led to the right-hand corner of goal was still able to deny Sommer.
Switzerland then had a chance to open the scoring in 39 minutes. Zuber cross on the left side greeted Josip Drmic header. Unfortunately, the bomber's header still bounced thin.
Sweden had two golden chances in the final minutes of the first half with a Forsberg free-kick on 39 minutes and Ekdal on 41 minutes. Unfortunately, Fosberg's kick was still thin, while Ekdal's shot in front of goal still bounced over the bar. Glasses score lasted until the first half completed.
Second round
Both Sweden and Switzerland still struggled to score at the start of the second half. The attacks of both teams are often deadlocked when reaching the final of the third or before entering the penalty box.
Sweden itself finally managed to win 1-0 in minute 66. Operan striker Ola Toivonen in front of the penalty box immediately struck by Forsberg kicks. RB Leipzig star horizontal kick it's actually not too hard, but Akanji is trying to drive the ball just go into the goal of his own team.
After that, Switzerland strives to equalize. Vladimir Petkovic's side nearly scored in the 80th minute. The Swiss corner kick delivered scrimmage in front of Sweden's goal. The ball on the shoulder of Mikael Lustig which actually bounced towards the goal itself. Lucky the ball still can be swept Forsberg standing in front of goal. Off the line!
Switzerland also almost scored in injury time. Unfortunately, substitute striker Haris Seferovic's header in the 91st minute can still be caught Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
Sweden got the last chance through a Toivonen free-kick. However, his kick could still be read by Sommer. Michael Lang himself was rewarded a red card by referee for a foul as the last person in the Swiss defense, which led to a free kick for Sweden.
Moments later, the referee blew the long whistle of the end of the match. With this 1-0 victory, Sweden officially advanced to the quarterfinals and will face the winner of the big 16 duel between Colombia v. England to be held on Wednesday (4/7/2018) early morning hrs.
Composition of Players
Sweden XI (4-4-2): Olsen; Lustig / Krafth, Granqvist, Lindelof, Augustinsson; Claesson, Svensson, Ekdal, Forsberg / Martin Ollson; Berg / Thelin, Toivonen.
Coach: Janne Andersson (Sweden)
Switzerland XI (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Lang, Djourou, Akanji, Rodriguez; Behrami, Xhaka; Zuber / Embolo, Dzemaili / Seferovic, Shaqiri; Drmic.
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic (Bosnia
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